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Powered PA speaker question

hobbes1

hobbes1

Nov 3, 2006
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28
sites.google.com
#1
I'm attempting to find a single solution to be able to play electric bass (5 string), electric guitar and my JTV variax (for electric and acoustic tones) at home for practice and for smaller gigs. I'm looking for a good quality powered monitor that can get reasonably loud without farting out for bass while still having a nice top end (not shrill) for the electric guitar. I would be using a POD HD 500 as the modeler for this rig but I also have a VT BassDI pedal as well that I could use.

I realize that a smaller PA monitor can not be expected to perform like a fridge or a fearless. Volume I'd like to be able to hit would be around 105dB without fart out, if possible.

I've been looking at the following but wondered if anyone had any real-world experience to offer for a solution that can handle bass and acoustic guitar and electric guitar sounds and sound good on all three.

Line 6 StageSource L2M or L2T or the L3T/M
EV ZLX-12P
Alto Black 10" monitor
Alto TS110
QSC K10

Again, I'm looking for a pretty flat response monitor, good power, handles all the above instruments at a reasonably loud volume and doesn't cost more than any of these products above. I'm big on buying used gear so plan to keep the costs down there as well. Any constructive thoughts appreciated!
 
#2
I used an RCF ART-310A active monitors for a couple of years and was really satisfied.
I would still use it if I didn't get an amazing deal on an L'Acoustic 108-P.

I suggest strongly that you add it in your list.

As you probably know , a single 10" will not give you a lot of low end.
I doesn't bother me as I get it from the PA.
I also bought an active sub for those extra loud gigs.... :)


Big RCF fan here. Good products.
They are one of the very few company who does all of their stuff in-House.
 
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#4
I've had really good luck with K10's and K12's. The horn sounds great (even when pushed hard), low-end is pleasing and punchy, and the back panel features are really handy. I've not heard the Alto's but I did do a gig with the RCF's (ART 712's I think) and thought they sounded excellent...maybe a little more open in the top end compared to the QSC but that's not exactly a fair or scientific comparison.
 
#6
Of the ones listed personally I would probably get the EV. Although you may want to step it up to the next model.
Where are you located? Someone here may have something you could try out. I can say, for standalone 12 low frequencies, my understanding is nothing goes as clean/low as a Yorkville PS12P.
 
#7
Used K10 or K12. You won't get the wallop of a full on bass cab, but then there isn't a $700 bass cab that will do a decent job on guitar either. K12's go in the $550 range use pretty often. K10's can go for that or a little more from what I see in the Pdx market. The K12 goes a few hz deeper, it is a bit louder, much larger and heavier.

Unless you also want to gig with it, you might consider going towards a sett of studio monitors or some older hifi. KEF 104's go under 500 a pair in the used market and if you have power for them, they rock! They take up some room though and if you use them as hifi you run the risk of not practicing - amazingly good sounding speakers...

A set of a paradigm mini's with their 8" sub and a small power amp (40 watt/side NAD) worked for me as a practice rig for a while. Keys, e-drums, bass, guitar, everything ... The sub and amp are still in use a my studio monitor setup but under a set of a Hafler tops. The mini's are back to hifi use.
 
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#8
^
yes, I've used hifi at times for home practicing. I'm really looking more for a solution that will take up minimal space as well as allow me to turn it up somewhat loud, in order to be able to play smaller gigs or with other, like-minded people for whom maximum volume is not a constant desire :) I tend to lean a little towards the Line 6 stagesource L2M as it has a 12" width and 12" depth and also can connect to the POD HD500 via the L6 Link (one XLR cable). It's a product that is special order for me as no one nearby has them in stock. Same for the RCF and Alto Black. It is also about 39lb which is a little lighter than some of the others on my radar.
 
#9
A top plus sub works out good.
For smaller gigs you may only need the top.
As the venue get's larger you can add the sub.

There's a lot of good choices these days. It's not an easy pick.
Some other factors the influence me is the length or warranty and what is covered. It seems to follow that the better the warranty and the more it covers, the more likely you are not going to have a problem, and if you do the manufacturer will just take care of it.
 
#13
hobbes1 said:
For the QSC people, have any of you ever played guitar (acoustic or electric) through one? How'd it do? Is the high end smooth?
Click to expand...
Just about every gig I do I have acoustic guitar and electric guitar in K12's and / or K10's. The AC guitar comes in through a an LR Baggs Paracoustic DI. Either a Taylor 514ce or an old D28. The guitar is a mic'ed a Rivera combo using an e609. I roll some of the highs out of the ac guitar. Electric guitar is near flat from about 150 up except for a dip at 250 and again in the 4k region. Not sure where the guitarist has his preamps set...

I like a laid back hi end in my PA. I start rolling off at 10 and an 8 db down by 20. To my ear that suits the K series well. Basically the K series gives you back what you put into it. So it's up to you to control what goes in. Playing electric guitar through a PA speaker is not like firing up the AC 15 where the top end is already muted by the lack of a horn. You will have to do some tone sculpting to get the electric guitar tone you want ... This is of course a good thing in my book... It means that good mic's will also sound good.
 
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#15
I've got several EV ZLX-12Ps & I'm pretty happy with them. Lots of bang for the buck & I have a lot of flexibility. If I use more than 2, I almost always include at least 1 sub.

Can't hardly go wrong with QSC, but they're a lot pricier. I'm not familiar with the others.
 
#17
I'm happy with the overall sound of mine, including (especially?) the high end.

I neglected to mention that I often grab a ZLX-12P for a rehearsal. 1 of those is a lot smaller, lighter, & more flexible than anything I own that's primarily for bass. I haven't run a guitar through one, although guitars are often included in the PA mix.
 
#18
I regularly gig (& rehearse) with my EV ZLX12p as my bass amp. I run my jazz bass through it, using my Pod XTLive modeler. Haven't tried it much with guitar, but the EV sounds very nice when I'm crankin' tunes through it in the garage. It's cheap (~$400 street) has 2 channels, DSP, weighs next to nothing.
 
#20
hobbes1 said:
@JohnMCA72 and Rocksolid: have you played guitar as well as bass through your PA speakers? How was the top end? I'm looking for smooth and not harsh in the horn... thanks
Click to expand...
As full range PA speakers, they aren't tuned specifically for any instrument, hence recommending an amp modeler. In saying that, I have heard far more glassy tweeters in other PA speakers. As sound reinforcement in a band situation, the engineer would get the guitar via a Mic and amp and have to eq as required for the room. It will be the same for your application.
 
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